B Lydian mode on banjo
The B Lydian mode has seven notes: B, C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯ and A♯ (1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7). A major scale with a sharp 4th. Dreamy and floating rather than settled; play it over a maj7 or maj7♯11 chord, or a major chord moving to the major chord a tone above (C to D).
| Note | B | C♯ | D♯ | E♯ | F♯ | G♯ | A♯ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interval | 1 (root) | 2 | 3 | ♯4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Step to the next | whole | whole | whole | half | whole | whole | half |
3 positions to learn it in
Each stretch here is a few frets you can play without moving the hand: the open position, then from the root on the lowest string. Press Play to hear each one, up and back down.
Chords that go with the B Lydian mode
The chords on each note of the scale that use only its notes. Play over any of them and every note fits; B (B) is where it sounds at home.
| On the | Chord | Seventh chord |
|---|---|---|
| root (B) | Bhome | Bmaj7home |
| 2 (C♯) | C♯the lift | C♯7the lift |
| 3 (D♯) | D♯mhalf-light | D♯m7half-light |
| ♯4 (E♯) | E♯dimthe edge | E♯m7♭5the edge |
| 5 (F♯) | F♯the pull | F♯maj7the pull |
| 6 (G♯) | G♯mthe shadow | G♯m7the shadow |
| 7 (A♯) | A♯mcolour | A♯m7colour |
Scales with the same notes
It has the same notes as the F♯ major scale, started from its fourth note, B.
Questions
What notes are in the B Lydian mode?
B, C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯ and A♯. Its intervals from the root are 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7, and the steps between its notes are W W W H W W H (W a whole step, H a half step).
What chords go with the B Lydian mode?
The chords made only of its notes: B, C♯, D♯m, E♯dim, F♯, G♯m and A♯m, and as seventh chords Bmaj7, C♯7, D♯m7, E♯m7♭5, F♯maj7, G♯m7 and A♯m7. B is home: B is the chord it sounds most settled over.
The Lydian mode in every key
Other scales in B
B majorB minorB minor pentatonicB major pentatonicB bluesB DorianB MixolydianB PhrygianB harmonic minorB melodic minorB Phrygian dominant
Practise it on a sheet of your own in the practice sheet maker, with a metronome and a drone. Every scale: banjo scales. This scale on guitar, bass, ukulele and mandolin.